Blockchain based ecosystem for emission tracking of plug in hybrid vehicles

ABSTRACT

Described herein are systems and methods for the provision of data particularly for use in generating a blockchain environment for tracking emissions of a hybrid electric vehicle. The systems and methods include reading in position data representing a geographical position of a hybrid electric vehicle, reading in operating data representing an operating state of a drivetrain of the hybrid electric vehicle, forming a data block at least comprising the position data and the operating data, and adding the data block to a blockchain.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to German PatentApplication No. 102019206211.3, filed on Apr. 30, 2019, entitledCOMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHOD FOR THE PROVISION OF DATA, the contents ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for allpurposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for the provisionof data.

BACKGROUND

More and more cities or municipal administrations are in particulartending to set up what are known as environmental zones in order to inthat way comply with air cleanliness regulations.

An environmental zone (also known as a low-emission region) here is ageographically defined region—usually in municipal conurbations—in whichthe operation of vehicles that are not identified as having lowemissions is forbidden, which is intended to serve to improve the localair quality. There is, in addition, the concept of the zero-emissionzone (ZEZ) in which, for example, only electric vehicles are allowed.

A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is a vehicle that is driven at least bya motor-driven electrical machine as a traction motor and a furtherenergy converter as a further traction motor—usually a combustion enginesuch as a gasoline or diesel engine. While the electrical machine issupplied with electrical operating energy from a traction battery, thecombustion engine is supplied by combustion fuel from a combustion fueltank.

Such a hybrid electric vehicle can—depending on its configuration—beoperated purely electrically and thus with zero emissions, partiallyelectrically and thus with reduced emissions, and/or purely operated bythe combustion engine and thus entailing emissions.

There is thus a need to indicate ways in which such operating states canbe documented in a reliable manner that is secure against forgery, inparticular within environmental zones.

SUMMARY

The object of the invention is achieved through a computer-implementedmethod for the provision of data, including reading in position datarepresenting a geographical position of a hybrid electric vehicle,reading in operating data representing an operating state of adrivetrain of the hybrid electric vehicle, forming a data block at leastcomprising the position data and the operating data, and adding the datablock to a blockchain.

To acquire the position data, the hybrid electric vehicle comprises, forexample, a GPS module, wherein the position data is transmittedwirelessly, using, for example, a GSM module, to a blockchainenvironment. The operating data is also transmitted wirelessly to theblockchain environment, for example using the GSM module.

While it is possible to determine on the basis of the position datawhether the hybrid electric vehicle is at least some of the time locatedinside an environmental zone, the operating data indicate whether thehybrid electric vehicle is being operated purely electrically and thuswith zero emissions, partially electrically and thus with reducedemissions, and/or purely operated by the combustion engine and thusentailing emissions.

The blockchain environment can be a distributed network that reads inboth the position data as well as the operating data. Both the positiondata and the operating data can each be datasets, e.g., positiondatasets or operating datasets. The position datasets or operatingdatasets comprise, in addition to the position data and the operatingdata, in each case a timestamp in order to be able to associate andevaluate the respective position data and operating data from the pointof view of time also. In addition or as an alternative to thetimestamps, the position datasets or operating datasets can alsocomprise information regarding distances traveled in, for example, milesor kilometers. The position data as well as at least the operating dataare combined to form a data block, and then added to a blockchain. Thisdata is thus now available in the blockchain in a manner that cannot beforged, in order to be further evaluated.

According to one form of embodiment, the operating state is at least azero-emission operating state or an operating state entailing emissions.Through evaluating the data stored in the blockchain it is thus possibleto establish whether the hybrid electric vehicle was operated in theenvironmental zone with zero emissions or entailing emissions. Thisinformation can, for example, be used to determine emission-dependenttoll fees for, for example, driving entailing emissions in anenvironmental zone.

According to a further form of embodiment, an information signal isprovided through evaluating the position data and the operating data.The information signal can be used to inform a driver of the hybridelectric vehicle that he is located in an environmental zone and/or isdriving with zero emissions or with reduced emissions or entailingemissions. For this purpose the information signal can operate a visualand/or acoustic indicator. In addition or as an alternative, it can beprovided that the information signal leads to a change in the operatingmode of the hybrid electric vehicle into a purely electrical operatingmode which is thus without emissions.

According to a further form of embodiment, the data block of theblockchain is evaluated in the context of a smart-contract application.In other words, smart contracts are executed. Smart contracts refer hereto software-based contracts wherein widely different contractualconditions can be lodged. During the operation of the contract, specificlinked actions (e.g. payments) can be executed automatically when acorresponding trigger (e.g. satisfying the contractual conditions) ispresent. Emission-dependent toll fees can, in this way, for example,particularly easily and automatically be levied and billed.

A computer program product for a hybrid electric vehicle and a computerprogram product for a blockchain environment, a control device for sucha hybrid electric vehicle and a hybrid electric vehicle with such acontrol device further belong to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic illustration of a scenario in which ahybrid electric vehicle drives into an environmental zone, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic illustration of a method flow, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a computer system, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a vehicle system, according tosome embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described above, There is a need to indicate ways in which suchoperating states can be documented in a reliable manner that is secureagainst forgery, in particular within environmental zones. Describedherein are systems and methods for using blockchain technology foremission tracking for hybrid electric vehicles.

Referring to FIG. 1, a hybrid electric vehicle 2 driving into anenvironmental zone 10 is illustrated. Hybrid electric vehicle 2 refershere to a vehicle that comprises a drivetrain 4 with a motor-drivableelectric machine as a first traction motor and with a combustion engine,e.g. a gasoline or diesel engine, as a second traction motor.

Such a hybrid electric vehicle 2 can—depending on its configuration—beoperated purely electrically and thus with zero emissions, partiallyelectrically and thus with reduced emissions, and/or purely operated bythe combustion engine and thus entailing emissions. In other words, thehybrid electric vehicle 2 can be a full hybrid or can comprise a rangeextender.

The hybrid electric vehicle 2 can further be designed in the presentexemplary embodiment as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). In a plug-in hybrid,the batteries of a traction battery can be charged by the combustionengine alone or via the power grid. In this scheme, increased emphasisis placed on an enlargement of the battery capacity in order to be ablealso to cover larger distances without local emissions. With sufficientcapacity, short distances (of up to about 60 to 80 kilometers) can becovered exclusively in the zero-emission electric operating mode, whilethe combustion engine is only used as a generator for recharging thetraction batteries in order to enable larger distances as well. Throughthe possible operation with the combustion engine alone, largerdistances are possible even when the traction battery is empty.

The hybrid electric vehicle 2 comprises, in the present exemplaryembodiment, a control device 6, which is designed to transmit positiondata PD representing a position (e.g., geographic location) of thehybrid electric vehicle 2 and operating data BD representing anoperating state of the drivetrain 4 to a blockchain environment 8. Theoperating state may include a zero-emission mode (i.e., the hybridelectric vehicle 2 is operating using the traction battery and not thetraction engine), a partial-emission mode (i.e., the hybrid electricvehicle 2 is operating using the traction battery and the tractionengine), or a full-emission mode (i.e., the hybrid electric vehicle 2 isoperating using the traction engine and not the traction battery). Thecontrol device 6 can comprise hardware and/or software components forthis purpose and for the task and functions described below. Hybridelectric vehicle 2 may be, for example, vehicle system 400 as describedwith respect to FIG. 4.

Both the position data PD and the operating data BD are, in the presentexemplary embodiment, each datasets, i.e. position datasets or operatingdatasets. The position datasets or operating datasets comprise, inaddition to the position data PD and the operating data BD, in someembodiments, for each dataset a timestamp in order to associate andevaluate the respective position data PD and operating data BD from thepoint of view of time also. Other than the present exemplary embodiment,the position datasets or operating datasets can, in addition to or as analternative to the timestamps, comprise information regarding distancestraveled in, for example, miles or kilometers.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the position data PD are read inwith a position determination device, for example, a GPS module of thehybrid electric vehicle 2, while the operating data BD are read in fromthe control device 6 over a CAN bus of the hybrid electric vehicle 2.The position data PD and the operating data BD are transmittedwirelessly to the blockchain environment 8 via a GSM module (also notillustrated) that is connected to the control device 6.

The blockchain environment 8 in the present exemplary embodimentprovides a distributed peer-to-peer network that serves to realize acomputer-implemented method for the provision of data. The peer-to-peernetwork comprises a plurality of nodes. In addition to hardwarecomponents, each node also contains software components in the form ofcomputer program products which involve a blockchain software (stack)whose tasks and functions will now be explained in detail. Hybridelectric vehicle 2 is one of the nodes.

A distributed ledger here refers to a special form of electronic dataprocessing and storage. A distributed ledger indicates a non-centraldatabase that allows the participants in a network common write and readauthorization. In contrast to a centrally managed database, a centralinstance that makes new entries into the database is not required inthis network. New datasets can be added at any time by the participantsthemselves. A subsequent updating process ensures that all participantseach have access to the latest status of the database. A blockchain BCis a special embodiment of the distributed ledger.

A blockchain BC here refers to a continuously extendable list of datablocks D1, D2, D3, . . . Dn that are chained together by means ofcryptographic methods. Each data block D1, D2, D3, . . . Dn typicallyhere contains a cryptographically secure checksum of the previous datablocks D1, D2, D3, . . . Dn, possibly together with a timestamp andfurther data.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the blockchain BC comprises a firstdata block D1 with a first dataset and a second data block D2 with asecond dataset, as well as a third data block D3 with a third dataset.The blockchain BC can be extended up to the data block DN. In the methodflow, the first data block D1, with which the blockchain BC is started,is generated. The second data block D2 with the second dataset and thethird data block D3 with the third dataset are then added, and theblockchain BC is thus extended. A respective checksum, such as, forexample, a hash value, is assigned to each of the data blocks D1, D2, D3. . . Dn. A hash function such as the SHA-256 algorithm (secure hashalgorithm) can, for example, be used to determine the checksum. Thefirst data block D1, since it is the first data block D1, thus does nothave a checksum of a preceding block, while the second data block D2comprises the first checksum of the first data block D1 and the thirddata block D3 comprises the second checksum of the second data block D2.

It is possible for different methods to be used, with which a consensuscan be reached as to who may generate the next data block D1, D2, D3, .. . Dn. In the present exemplary embodiment, proof-of-authorityverification is used in order to establish a consensus. Theproof-of-authority verification is here transmitted by the controldevice 6 together with the position data PD and the operating data BDinto the blockchain environment 8.

In contrast to a legitimation through proof-of-work, through the use ofproof-of-authority verifications the necessary computing power isreduced, and it is possible at the same time to update the blockchain BCthrough the addition of new data blocks D1, D2, D3 . . . Dn atcomparatively high speed. A proof-of-authority verification here confersthe competence for validating transactions (e.g. through what are knownas validators) and of grouping them into data blocks D1, D2, D3, . . .to an instance.

Checking the proof-of-authority verification here comprises thetransmission of the data blocks D1, D2, D3, . . . Dn that are to beadded to the blockchain together with the proof-of-authorityverification to the other instances in the blockchain environment 8;these check the proof-of-authority verification and, if the check issuccessful, grant approval to add the data block D1, D2, D3, . . . Dn tothe blockchain BC. A criterion such as, for example, that half of theinstances grant an approval, can be specified for the approval.

The proof-of-authority verification can have at least a time-limitedvalidity duration. Time-limited validity here means that theproof-of-authority verifications have an expiry date, and that once theexpiry date of one of the further instances has been exceeded, it is nolonger able to add further data blocks D1, D2, D3, . . . Dn to theblockchain BC. In this way it is possible, for example, to represent thesituation that verification of a check must be provided within apredetermined period of time. A fraudulent use is in this way furtheropposed, since the proof-of-authority verifications do not have anunlimited lifetime.

The proof-of-authority verification can further comprise at least onecontent-related validity. A content-related validity means that theproof-of-authority verifications only authorize predetermined inputs tobe made such as, for example, adding the position data PD and theoperating data BD. The proof-of-authority verifications are, in otherwords, materially restricted. Fraudulent use can also be opposed in thisway.

The proof-of-authority verification can further comprise at least oneuser-related validity. A user-related validity means that theproof-of-authority verifications only authorize a respective,predetermined instance that predetermined inputs can be made such as,for example, confirming that a check has been carried out. Theproof-of-authority verifications are, in other words, individualized oruser-related. Other than the present exemplary embodiment, proof-of-workor proof-of-stack can also be used.

Proof-of-work comprises the solution of a cryptographic task. In thisway it is ensured that the generation of valid data blocks D1, D2, D3, .. . Dn is associated with a certain effort, so that a subsequentmodification of the blockchain BC B, such as through a 51% manipulation,can be practically excluded. Proof of stake (abbreviation: PoS) refersto a method with which a consensus can be achieved in a blockchainenvironment 8 as to which instance may generate the next data block D2,D2, D3, . . . Dn. A weighted random choice is used here, wherein theweights of the individual instances are determined from, for example,the duration of participation. In contrast to proof-of-work,proof-of-stack manages without time-consuming and energy-intensivemining, and it is not possible to take over the total blockchainenvironment 8 merely through the possession of computing power (e.g.,51% manipulation).

The environmental zone 10 is a geographically defined region—usually inmunicipalities—in which the operation of vehicles that are notidentified as having low emissions is forbidden, which is intended toserve to improve the local air quality.

The control device 6 is furthermore designed to provide an informationsignal IS through the evaluation of the position data PD and of theoperating data BD. The information signal IS serves to inform a driverof the hybrid electric vehicle 2 that he is located in the environmentalzone 10 and/or is driving with zero emissions or with reduced emissionsor entailing emissions. For this purpose the information signal IS canoperate a visual and/or acoustic indicator in the interior of the hybridelectric vehicle 2.

The control device 6 is furthermore designed to determine, for examplethrough evaluating navigation data of a navigation system of the hybridelectric vehicle 2, whether the electrical energy stored in the tractionbattery of the hybrid electric vehicle 2 is sufficient, for example, toreach a driving destination located inside the environmental zone 10, orto leave the environmental zone 10 again, purely electrically and thuswith zero emissions, or at least partially electrically and thus withreduced emissions.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a method for using blockchain for emissiontracking is described. The position data PD representing a position of ahybrid electric vehicle 2 are read in by the control device 6 in a firststep S100, and the operating data BD representing an operating state ofthe drivetrain 4 of the hybrid electric vehicle 2 are read in by thecontrol device 6 in a second step S200. The position data PD permit adetermination as to whether the hybrid electric vehicle 2 isgeographically located in the environmental zone 10, while the operatingdata BD indicate whether the hybrid electric vehicle 2 is being operatedpurely electrically and thus with zero emissions, partially electricallyand thus with reduced emissions, and/or purely operated by thecombustion engine and thus entailing emissions.

The control device 6 evaluates the position data PD and the operatingdata BD in a further step S300, in order to provide an informationsignal IS. The information signal IS controls a visual and/or acousticindicator in the interior of the hybrid electric vehicle 2 in order toinform a driver of the hybrid electric vehicle 2 that he is located inan environmental zone 10 and/or is driving with zero emissions or withreduced emissions or entailing emissions. An LED in the interior of thehybrid electric vehicle 2 is operated in the present exemplaryembodiment. Other than the present exemplary embodiment it can beprovided that the information signal IS effectuates a change in theoperating mode of the hybrid electric vehicle into a purely electricaloperating mode which is thus without emissions.

The position data PD and the operating data BD are transmittedwirelessly to the blockchain environment 8 in a further step S400. Thiscan take place within a time interval with a predetermined duration,e.g. every 3 seconds. In the blockchain environment 8 a further datablock D1, D2, D3 . . . Dn of the data blocks D1, D2, D3 . . . Dn isformed from the position data PD and the operating data BD in a furtherstep S500. The blockchain environment 8 adds the newly formed data blockD1, D2, D3 . . . Dn of the data blocks D1, D2, D3 . . . Dn to theblockchain BC in a further step S600. This data is thus now available inthe blockchain in a manner that cannot be forged, in order to be furtherevaluated.

In a further step S700, a further instance such as, for example, abilling service provider, accesses the blockchain BC for the billing oftoll fees. For example, the billing service provider charges toll feesthat, for example, become due if driving is carried out with reducedemissions or entailing emissions in an environmental zone 10, whilezero-emission driving within the environmental zone 10 is free fromtolls.

Smart contracts may be used here, and a corresponding smart contract maybe carried out. The smart contract thus charges the driver or owner ofthe hybrid electric vehicle 2 a predetermined billing amount if theelectric vehicle 2 has moved within the environmental zone 10 withreduced emissions or entailing emissions. Emission-dependent toll feescan, in this way, for example, particularly easily and automatically belevied and billed. In addition or as an alternative, instead of tollfees, payments can also be triggered in the form of incentives foremission-free driving to the owner or driver of the hybrid electricvehicle 2.

Instances can also access the data archived in the blockchain BC. Aninstance can, for example, be a fleet operator of a vehicle fleet with aplurality of hybrid electric vehicles 2 who evaluates the data archivedin the blockchain BC in order to reduce emissions across the fleetand/or to be able to give driving recommendations. A further instancecan be an environmental authority whose tasks include the monitoring ofthe environmental zone 10. A further instance can be a vehiclemanufacturer who evaluates the data archived in the blockchain BC inorder to further improve the operation of the hybrid electric vehicle 2.A further instance can be a further service provider who evaluates thedata archived in the blockchain BC in order to offer further services.The data read from the blockchain BC can then, for example, berepresented in graphical form in order to simplify its evaluation.

Other than the present exemplary embodiment, the sequence of the stepscan also be different. Multiple steps can, furthermore, be carried outat the same time, i.e. simultaneously. It is also possible forindividual steps to be omitted.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an example of a computer system300. Computer system 300 can be any of the described computers ordevices herein including, for example, control device 6. The computingdevice 300 can be or include, for example, an integrated computer, alaptop computer, desktop computer, tablet, server, or other electronicdevice.

The computing device 300 can include a processor 340 interfaced withother hardware via a bus 305. A memory 310 (e.g., a computer-readablememory device), which can include any suitable tangible (andnon-transitory) computer readable medium, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, orthe like, can embody program components (e.g., program code 315) thatconfigure operation of the computing device 300. Memory 310 can storethe program code 315, program data 317, or both. In some examples, thecomputing device 300 can include input/output (“I/O”) interfacecomponents 325 (e.g., for interfacing with a display 345, keyboard,mouse, and the like) and additional storage 330.

The computing device 300 executes program code 315 that configures theprocessor 340 to perform one or more of the operations described herein.Examples of the program code 315 include, in various embodiments controldevice 6, or any other data or suitable systems or subsystems thatperform one or more operations described herein. The program code 315may be resident in the memory 310 or any suitable computer-readablemedium and may be executed by the processor 340 or any other suitableprocessor.

The computing device 300 may generate or receive program data 317 byvirtue of executing the program code 315. For example, input dataset,output dataset, and tracking dataset are all examples of program data317 that may be used by the computing device 300 during execution of theprogram code 315.

The computing device 300 can include network components 320. Networkcomponents 320 can represent one or more of any components thatfacilitate a network connection. In some examples, the networkcomponents 320 can facilitate a wireless connection and include wirelessinterfaces such as IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, or radio interfaces foraccessing cellular telephone networks (e.g., a transceiver/antenna foraccessing CDMA, GSM, UMTS, or other mobile communications network). Inother examples, the network components 320 can be wired and can includeinterfaces such as Ethernet, USB, or IEEE 1394.

Although FIG. 3 depicts a single computing device 300 with a singleprocessor 340, the system can include any number of computing devices300 and any number of processors 340. For example, multiple computingdevices 300 or multiple processors 340 can be distributed over a wiredor wireless network (e.g., a Wide Area Network, Local Area Network, orthe Internet). The multiple computing devices 300 or multiple processors340 can perform any of the steps of the present disclosure individuallyor in coordination with one another.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a vehicle system 400, according tosome embodiments. The vehicle system 400 may include a computing system402 configured to communicate over an in-vehicle network 414 (e.g., aCAN bus). The computing system 402 includes a processor 404 and storage406. While a vehicle system 400 is shown in FIG. 4, the examplecomponents as illustrated are not intended to be limiting. Indeed, thevehicle system 400 may have more or fewer components, and additional oralternative components and/or implementations may be used. It should benoted that the use of a vehicle system 400 environment is illustrative,as the functional safety measures and security measures may be utilizedin other types of systems such as flight control system in an airplane,or a medical device or industrial machine.

The vehicle system 400 may include various types of automobile,crossover utility vehicle (CUV), sport utility vehicle (SUV), truck,recreational vehicle (RV), boat, plane or other mobile machine fortransporting people or goods. In many cases, the vehicle system 400 maybe powered by an internal combustion engine. As another possibility, thevehicle system 400 may be a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powered byboth an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors, suchas a series hybrid electric vehicle (SHEV), a parallel hybrid electricalvehicle (PHEV), or a parallel/series hybrid electric vehicle (PSHEV). Asthe type and configuration of the vehicle system 400 may vary, thecapabilities of the vehicle system may correspondingly vary. As someother possibilities, vehicle system 400 may have different capabilitieswith respect to passenger capacity, towing ability and capacity, andstorage volume.

The computing system 402 may include a Human Machine Interface (HMI) 412and a display 428 for user interaction with the computing system 402. Anexample computing system 402 may be the SYNC™ system provided by FORDMOTOR COMPANY™ of Dearborn, Mich. In some examples the display 428 mayinclude a vehicle infotainment system including one or more displays.The HMI 412 may be configured to support voice command and BLUETOOTH™interfaces with the driver and driver carry-on devices, receive userinput via various buttons or other controls, and provide vehicle statusinformation to a driver or other vehicle system 400 occupants. Forinstance, the computing system 402 may interface with one or morebuttons or other HMI 412 configured to invoke functions on the computingsystem 402 (e.g., steering wheel audio buttons, a push-to-talk button,instrument panel controls, etc.). The computing system 402 may alsodrive or otherwise communicate with the display 428 configured toprovide visual output to vehicle occupants, e.g., by way of a videocontroller. In some cases, the display 428 may be a touch screen furtherconfigured to receive user touch input via the video controller, whilein other cases the display 428 may be a display only, without touchinput capabilities. In an example, the display 428 may be a head unitdisplay included in a center console area of the vehicle system 400. Inanother example, the display 428 may be a screen of a gauge cluster ofthe vehicle system 400.

The computing system 402 may further include various types of computingapparatus in support of performance of the functions of the computingsystem 402 described herein. In an example, the computing system 402 mayinclude one or more processors 404 configured to execute computerinstructions, and a storage 406 medium on which computer-executableinstructions and/or data may be maintained. A computer-readable medium(also referred to as a processor-readable medium or storage 406)includes any non-transitory (e.g., tangible) medium that participates inproviding data (e.g., instructions) that may be read by a computer(e.g., by the one or more processors 404). In general, the processor 404receives instructions and/or data, e.g., from the storage 406, etc., toa memory and executes the instructions using the data, therebyperforming one or more processes, including one or more of the processesdescribed herein. Computer-executable instructions may be compiled orinterpreted from computer programs created using a variety ofprogramming languages and/or technologies, including, withoutlimitation, and either alone or in combination, Java, C, C++, C #,Fortran, Pascal, Visual Basic, Python, Java Script, Perl, PL/SQL, etc.The storage 406 may include divisions for data 408 and applications 410.The data 408 may store information such as databases and other suchinformation. The applications 410 may store the computer-executableinstructions or other such instructions executable by the processor 404.

The computing system 402 may be configured to communicate with mobiledevices of the vehicle system 400 occupants. The mobile devices may beany of various types of portable computing device, such as cellularphones, tablet computers, smart watches, laptop computers, portablemusic players, or other devices capable of communication with thecomputing system 402. As with the computing system 402, the mobiledevice may include one or more processors configured to execute computerinstructions, and a storage medium on which the computer-executableinstructions and/or data may be maintained. In some examples, thecomputing system 402 may include a wireless transceiver (e.g., aBLUETOOTH™ controller, a ZIGBEE™ transceiver, a Wi-Fi transceiver, etc.)configured to communicate with a compatible wireless transceiver of themobile device. Additionally, or alternately, the computing system 402may communicate with the mobile device over a wired connection, such asvia a USB connection between the mobile device and a Universal SerialBus (USB) subsystem of the computing system 402.

The computing system 402 may be further configured to communicate withother components of the vehicle system 400 via one or more in-vehiclenetworks 414. The in-vehicle networks 414 may include one or more of avehicle controller area network (CAN), an Ethernet network, or a mediaoriented system transfer (MOST), as some examples. The in-vehiclenetworks 414 may allow the computing system 402 to communicate withother units of the vehicle system 400, such as ECU A 420, ECU B 422, ECUC 424, and ECU D 426. The ECUs 420, 422, 424, and 426 may includevarious electrical or electromechanical systems of the vehicle system400 or control various subsystems of the vehicle system 400. Somenon-limiting examples of ECUs include a powertrain control moduleconfigured to provide control of engine operating components (e.g., idlecontrol components, fuel delivery components, emissions controlcomponents, etc.) and monitoring of engine operating components (e.g.,status of engine diagnostic codes); a body control module configured tomanage various power control functions such as exterior lighting,interior lighting, keyless entry, remote start, and point of accessstatus verification (e.g., closure status of the hood, doors and/ortrunk of the vehicle system 400); a radio transceiver module configuredto communicate with key fobs or other vehicle system 400 devices, aclimate control management module configured to provide control andmonitoring of heating and cooling system components (e.g., compressorclutch and blower fan control, temperature sensor information, etc.) aswell as a transmission control module, a brake control module, a centraltiming module, a suspension control module, a vehicle modem (which maynot be present in some configurations), a global positioning system(GPS) module configured to provide vehicle system 400 location andheading information, and various other vehicle ECUs configured tocorporate with the computing system 402. The subsystems controlled bythe various ECUs may include functional components 416 of the vehiclesystem 400 including elements such as the powertrain, engine, brakes,lights, steering components, and the like. Additionally, some or all ofthe functional components 416 may include sensors 418 as well asadditional sensors equipped to the vehicle system 400 for detectingvarious states, positions, proximity, temperature, and the like of thevehicle system 400 and subsystems thereof. The ECUs 420, 422, 424, 426may communicate with the computing system 402 as well as the functionalcomponents 416 and the sensors 418 over the in-vehicle network 414.While only four ECUs are depicted in FIG. 4, any number (more or fewer)of ECUs may be included in vehicle system 400.

While the present subject matter has been described in detail withrespect to specific aspects thereof, it will be appreciated that thoseskilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing,may readily produce alterations to, variations of, and equivalents tosuch aspects. Numerous specific details are set forth herein to providea thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, thoseskilled in the art will understand that the claimed subject matter maybe practiced without these specific details. In other instances,methods, apparatuses, or systems that would be known by one of ordinaryskill have not been described in detail so as not to obscure claimedsubject matter. Accordingly, the present disclosure has been presentedfor purposes of example rather than limitation, and does not precludethe inclusion of such modifications, variations, and/or additions to thepresent subject matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinaryskill in the art

Unless specifically stated otherwise, it is appreciated that throughoutthis specification discussions utilizing terms such as “processing,”“computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” and “identifying” or the likerefer to actions or processes of a computing device, such as one or morecomputers or a similar electronic computing device or devices, thatmanipulate or transform data represented as physical electronic ormagnetic quantities within memories, registers, or other informationstorage devices, transmission devices, or display devices of thecomputing platform. The use of “adapted to” or “configured to” herein ismeant as open and inclusive language that does not foreclose devicesadapted to or configured to perform additional tasks or steps.Additionally, the use of “based on” is meant to be open and inclusive,in that a process, step, calculation, or other action “based on” one ormore recited conditions or values may, in practice, be based onadditional conditions or values beyond those recited. Headings, lists,and numbering included herein are for ease of explanation only and arenot meant to be limiting.

Aspects of the methods disclosed herein may be performed in theoperation of such computing devices. The system or systems discussedherein are not limited to any particular hardware architecture orconfiguration. A computing device can include any suitable arrangementof components that provide a result conditioned on one or more inputs.Suitable computing devices include multi-purpose microprocessor-basedcomputer systems accessing stored software that programs or configuresthe computing system from a general purpose computing apparatus to aspecialized computing apparatus implementing one or more aspects of thepresent subject matter. Any suitable programming, scripting, or othertype of language or combinations of languages may be used to implementthe teachings contained herein in software to be used in programming orconfiguring a computing device. The order of the blocks presented in theexamples above can be varied—for example, blocks can be re-ordered,combined, and/or broken into sub-blocks. Certain blocks or processes canbe performed in parallel.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:reading position data representing a position of a hybrid electricvehicle; reading operating data representing an operating state of adrivetrain of the hybrid electric vehicle; forming a data blockcomprising the position data and the operating data; and adding the datablock to a blockchain.
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,wherein the operating data comprises an operating state indicating thedrivetrain is in a zero-emission mode.
 3. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 1, wherein the operating data comprises an operatingstate indicating the drivetrain is in a partial-emission mode.
 4. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the operating datacomprises an operating state indicating the drivetrain is in afull-emission mode.
 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,further comprising: providing an information signal based on anevaluation of the position data and the operating data.
 6. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: evaluatingthe data block of the blockchain in the context of a smart contractapplication.
 7. A computer-readable memory device having stored thereoninstructions that, upon execution by one or more processors, cause theone or more processors to: read position data representing a position ofa hybrid electric vehicle; read operating data representing an operatingstate of a drivetrain of the hybrid electric vehicle; form a data blockcomprising the position data and the operating data; and add the datablock to a blockchain.
 8. The computer-readable memory device of claim7, wherein the operating data comprises an operating state indicatingthe drivetrain is in a zero-emission mode.
 9. The computer-readablememory device of claim 7, wherein the operating data comprises anoperating state indicating the drivetrain is in a partial-emission mode.10. The computer-readable memory device of claim 7, wherein theoperating data comprises an operating state indicating the drivetrain isin a full-emission mode.
 11. The computer-readable memory device ofclaim 7, wherein the instructions comprise further instructions that,upon execution by the one or more processors, cause the one or moreprocessors to: provide an information signal based on an evaluation ofthe position data and the operating data.
 12. The computer-readablememory device of claim 7, wherein the instructions comprise furtherinstructions that, upon execution by the one or more processors, causethe one or more processors to: evaluate the data block of the blockchainin the context of a smart contract application.
 13. A vehiclecomprising: a position determination device for providing position dataof the vehicle; a drivetrain having operating data comprising anoperating state of the drivetrain; and a control device configured totransmit the position data and the operating data to a blockchainenvironment.
 14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the operating datacomprises an operating state indicating the drivetrain is in azero-emission mode.
 15. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the operatingdata comprises an operating state indicating the drivetrain is in apartial-emission mode.
 16. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein theoperating data comprises an operating state indicating the drivetrain isin a full-emission mode.
 17. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein thecontrol device is further configured to provide an information signalbased on an evaluation of the position data and the operating data. 18.The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the control device is furtherconfigured to evaluate the data block of the blockchain in the contextof a smart contract application.